An Unmatched Example of Fulfilling a Promise

Dear Islamic brothers! In our society, people make false promises over very small matters. There is a well-known incident from the pure life of Sayyidunā IsmāꜤīl عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم. His respected father, Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم, said, "O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am sacrificing you (for the sake of Allah)." His son replied with this promise:

قَالَ یٰۤاَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ٘-سَتَجِدُنِیْۤ اِنْ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ مِنَ الصّٰبِرِیْنَ(۱۰۲)

O my father! Do what you have been commanded to do. If Allah wills, you shall soon find me to be among the patient.”^[1]

This was such a difficult matter, yet Sayyidunā IsmāꜤīl عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم was so firm in his promise. He himself requested Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم to tie his hands, sharpen the knife, and tie a cloth over his eyes so that no emotion or fatherly love came in the way of fulfilling this promise.

Eventually, he offered his neck. Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم placed the knife on it, and at that very moment, Allah Almighty sent a ram from Paradise as a replacement.

سُـبْحٰـنَ الـلّٰــه! This is the fulfilment of a promise!

Ye faizan-e-nazar tha ya maktab ki karamat thi

Sikhaye kis ne Ismail ko aadab-e-farzandi^[2]

Explanation: Sayyidunā IsmāꜤīl عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم immediately saying "Labbaik" and bowing his head in obedience to the command of Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم was certainly a blessing of Allah Almighty. He was a Prophet and Allah created him with pure character.

May Allah Almighty also grant us the ability to fulfil our promises.

اٰمِیْنْ بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّٖن صلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہ ِوَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ